Synopses & Reviews
This book is a one-stop guide to the revival of social democratic and socialist politics across the region. At the end of the Cold War, after decades of neoliberal domination and the "Washington Consensus," it seemed that the left was finished in Latin America. But in fact new opportunities sprang up through electoral politics and mass action. Warning against over-simplification, this book offers detailed historical analysis of Latin America as a whole and country-specific case studies. From the anti-imperialism of the Bolivarian Alternative for the Americas in Venezuela, Bolivia and Cuba, to the more gradualist routes being taken in Chile, Argentina and Brazil, Reclaiming Latin America gives a real sense of the plurality of political responses to popular discontent.
Review
"An excellent book--timely, scholarly, balanced and accessible to a wide range of interested lay readers and undergraduates"--Peter North, University of Liverpool
Synopsis
Reclaiming Latin America is a one-stop guide to the revival of social democratic and socialist politics across the region.
At the end of the Cold War, and through decades of neoliberal domination and the 'Washington Consensus' it seemed that the left could do nothing but beat a ragged retreat in Latin America. Yet this book looks at the new opportunities that sprang up through electoral politics and mass action during that period.
The chapters here warn against over-simplification of the so-called 'pink wave'. Instead, through detailed historical analysis of Latin America as a whole and country-specific case studies, the book demonstrates the variety of approaches to establishing a lasting social justice. From the anti-imperialism of the Bolivarian Alternative for the Americas in Venezuela, Bolivia and Cuba, to the more gradualist routes being taken in Chile, Argentina and Brazil, Reclaiming Latin America gives a real sense of the plurality of political responses to popular discontent.
About the Author
Geraldine Lievesley is a Senior Lecturer in politics at Manchester Metropolitan University. Steve Ludlam is a Senior Lecturer in politics at the University of Sheffield.
Table of Contents
Acknowledgements
Notes on Contributors
Acronyms
Tables & Figures
Introduction: A 'pink tide'? - Geraldine Lievesley and Steve Ludlam
1. Is Latin America Moving Leftwards? Problems and Prospects - Geraldine Lievesley
2. The Latin Americanization of the Politics of Emancipation - Francisco Dominguez
3. Venezuela: The Political Evolution of Bolivarianism - Julia Buxton
4. Venezuela: Reinventing Social Democracy from Below? - Sara C. Motta
5. Bolivia: Playing by New Rules - John Crabtree
6. Nicaragua: The Return of Daniel Ortega - David Close
7. Cuba: Recovery and Change - Steve Ludlam
8. Mexico: Political Parties and Local Participation - Valeria Guarneros-Meza
9. Brazil: Has the Dream Ended? - Sue Branford
10. Brazil: Third Ways in the Third World - Guy Burton
11. Chile: Swimming against the Tide? - Patricio Silva
12. Argentina: Reforming Neoliberal Capitalism - Ernesto Vivares, Leonardo Diaz Echenique, and Javier Ozorio
Conclusion. Nuestra América, the spectre haunting Washington - Geraldine Lievesley and Steve Ludlam
Notes
Bibliography
Index